Electromagnetic Shocks in Strong Magnetic Fields
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
2009-10-31 v2 Astrophysics
Abstract
We examine the propagation of electromagnetic radiation through a strong magnetic field using the method of characteristics. Owing to nonlinear effects associated with vacuum polarization, such waves can develop discontinuities analogous to hydrodynamical shocks. We derive shock jump conditions and discuss the physical nature of these non-linear waves
Cite
@article{arxiv.hep-ph/9805284,
title = {Electromagnetic Shocks in Strong Magnetic Fields},
author = {Jeremy S. Heyl and Lars Hernquist},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:hep-ph/9805284},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
15 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. D, bibliography revised no other changes